The Christmas spirit is upon us—a season of connection, gratitude, love, and joy. It is also a time for giving, but equally important, it is an opportunity to prioritize your well-being and financial future. With year-end bonuses coming in, the temptation to splurge on gifts and celebrations is strong. However, making thoughtful decisions can help nurture both your financial and personal well-being. 

Here are some practical tips to help you spend your bonus wisely:

1. Save First, Spend Later

Start by setting aside a portion of your bonus for savings. Building an emergency fund or adding to your nest egg ensures you are prepared for life’s uncertainties while fostering peace of mind.

2. Prioritize Your Health and Wellness

Your health is your greatest wealth. You can also use your hard-earned money to enroll in fitness programs, try new wellness therapies, or stock up on healthy food options. Remember, investing in your physical and mental well-being is a gift that keeps giving.

3. Practice Self-Love

Amid the season’s hustle, take time to care for yourself. Pamper yourself with experiences that bring joy and relaxation, such as a spa day, a short retreat, or a new hobby. A healthy dose of self-love enhances your overall happiness and prepares you to give your best to others.

4. Pay Off Debts

Use your bonus by clearing high-interest debts such as credit card balances or loans. Reducing financial burdens now gives you a fresh, stress-free start for the new year.

5. Plan for Financial Growth

Channel your bonus into investments that can grow your wealth. Explore opportunities such as life insurance policies with investment components to achieve your financial goals.

• Stocks, a high-risk, high-reward option where you can flex your investing muscle a little more.

• Real estate where you can check if your bonus can cover downpayment for a condominium or lot.

6. Give the Gift of Financial Security to Loved Ones

This season, consider meaningful gifts that last not only for yourself but also for your loved ones. A life insurance plan or wellness coverage can provide long-term peace of mind. It’s a thoughtful way to show how much you care by ensuring your family’s future is protected.

7. Choose the Right Partner for your Own Financial Wellness Journey

Sun Life Grepa Financial, Inc. is here to help you maximize your bonus while prioritizing your health, wellness, and financial security. Our comprehensive insurance plans are designed to safeguard your future while enabling you to focus on what truly matters

This holiday season, let self-love, financial wellness, and thoughtful planning guide your spending. With Sun Life Grepa, you can turn your bonus into a foundation for a brighter and healthier future. To learn more about Sun Life Grepa’s life insurance and wellness programs, visit www.sunlifegrepa.com or contact a Sun Life Grepa Financial Advisor or visit any RCBC branch today.

Filipino-Korean star Chanty, a member of the rising K-pop group Lapillus, is officially the newest face of local, Korean-inspired skincare brand, Ever Organics.

Chanty’s appointment as the brand’s ambassador is a perfect match. As the first Filipina to join a K-pop group, she embodies the brand’s mission to bring the best of Korean skincare technology to Filipino consumers.

“We’re thrilled to have Chanty join the Ever Organics family,” shares Patricia Melliza, brand manager of Ever Organics. “Her vibrant personality and dedication to her craft align perfectly with what the brand represents. We believe that Chanty’s influence will inspire many Filipinos to take care of their skin with products that utilize naturally extracted ingredients and formulations!”

Chanty is the face of Ever Organics’ Papaya Brightening Collection, a range of products designed to illuminate the skin. This collection is a perfect fit for Chanty’s bubbly personality and radiant glow. The collection consists of Ever Organics Papaya Whitening Facial Wash, Ever Organics Papaya Whitening Booster Serum, Ever Organics Papaya Brightening Sunscreen SPF 50+ PA+++, and Ever Organics Papaya Soothing Gel.

“I’m very excited to be part of the Ever Organics family,” says Chanty. As a busy artist, it’s important to have skincare products that are effective and gentle. Chanty confesses that “I’ve actually been using Ever Organics products even before, so I am so, so happy to be their brand endorser!”

With Chanty’s infectious energy and stunning looks, there’s no doubt that she will soar to new heights in her K-pop career, and continue to captivate audiences worldwide!

Listen to the new track “all I do is cry,” co-produced by Clara Benin and The Ringmaster

Filipino singer-songwriter Clara Benin has dropped the deluxe edition of her critically acclaimed album, befriending my tears, now available worldwide under Sony Music Entertainment. The expanded version, titled befriending my tears (and then some), adds ten new tracks, including two fresh originals, five remixes, two live recordings, and a fan-favorite early demo, offering a deeper dive into Benin’s introspective musical journey.

Reflecting on the process, Benin shares, “This deluxe version gave me the opportunity to explore the more nuanced aspects of music production—whether it’s about satisfying my curiosity with different sonic textures, reworking instrumental arrangements, or experimenting with vocal harmonies. I wanted to create something immersive, something that resonates both on record and in a live setting.”

In addition to revisiting the themes of vulnerability and self-discovery explored in the original album, the deluxe edition features two brand-new tracks that continue the emotional narrative: “hiding in the bathroom” and “all I do is cry.” These new songs mark a more intimate exploration of self-acceptance and emotional honesty, while adding new perspectives to her brand of storytelling.

“The process of making befriending my tears helped me understand myself more,” Benin explains. “With these new songs, I wanted to lean into that same honesty—embracing vulnerability and learning how to sit with discomfort. It’s about letting go of any shame around our feelings, no matter how messy they might be.”

The new track, “all I do is cry,” co-produced with The Ringmaster, confronts Benin’s emotional depth and sensitivity. The song reflects her ability to embrace both the highs and lows of her feelings, finding catharsis in the act of crying as part of the process of growth and healing.

“I’ve always been deeply sensitive to my emotions, and crying has been one way I process everything,” she admits. “The older I get, the more I feel the contrast between contentment and grief. This song is a reflection of that duality—how love and loss can coexist, and how tears are sometimes necessary for personal evolution.”

In addition to the new material, befriending my tears (and then some) also features remixes from some of the most innovative producers in the local indie and electronic music scenes, including crwn, Kenyama, Kvtvlv, Tim Marquez, and The Ringmaster. The deluxe edition also includes live versions of fan favorites “small town” and “momentary,” recorded during her sold-out performance at the Music Museum last year.

For Benin, the deluxe album is more than just an extension of the original work—it’s a reflection of her ongoing quest to find beauty in life’s struggles, particularly the healing power of embracing her emotions—both the good and the bad. “I hope these songs encourage listeners to embrace their own journey, that whatever they’re going through, there is always hope waiting for them on the other side. I hope they feel seen, understood, and reminded through these songs, that healing and growth are possible, even in the hardest moments.”

Clara Benin’s befriending my tears (and then some) is now available on all major digital music platforms via Sony Music Entertainment.

Get up to PHP 50 in cashback when you use GCredit as your pantawid for bills payment and supermarket transactions. Subject to eligibility. Terms and conditions apply.

The ‘Ber months can be exciting yet financially challenging with unexpected expenses and looming deadlines. However, looking forward to the joy of celebrating with loved ones makes it all worthwhile. And with extra perks, the financial burden can be eased.

To help Filipinos get through gipit moments, finance super app GCash offers GCredit, powered by CIMB, an always-ready credit line of up to PHP 50,000. If you’re eligible, you can use GCredit when you need to borrow for your essentials. GCredit is subject to eligibility. Terms and conditions apply

And as an early pamasko, GCash offers up to PHP 50 in cashback for bills payments and supermarket transactions made using GCredit – not only providing a pantawid kapag gipit, but also giving you back extra! GCredit is subject to eligibility. Terms and conditions apply

GCredit Cashback

Gipit sa pambayad ng bills? You can use GCredit to pay for select billers on the GCash app. From Sept. 13 to Nov. 30, 2024, you get PHP 50 in cashback straight to your wallet when you spend at least PHP 1,500 using GCredit to pay for bills. GCredit is subject to eligibility. Terms and conditions apply

Gipit sa pang-grocery? You can also use GCredit to pay at select supermarkets. For a minimum spend of PHP 1,500 using GCredit for supermarket transactions from Oct. 19 to Nov. 30, 2024, you get a 2% cashback (capped at PHP 50) straight to your GCash wallet. GCredit is subject to eligibility. Terms and conditions apply

‘Pag gipit na tuwing petsa de peligro, GCredit can be used for bill payments, online purchases, and in-store QR transactions at select merchants. If you’re eligible, there’s no need to disclose your income and submit supporting documents and collateral.

Interest is prorated as low as 0.17% daily, which means you get charged a lower interest if you pay earlier. GCredit is subject to eligibility. Terms and conditions apply

If you find yourself in a tight spot, know that you can count on GCredit as your reliable pantawid. And with an extra cashback, ​​get a headstart on the holiday season with a much-needed financial boost. GCredit is subject to eligibility. Terms and conditions apply

For more details, see new.gcash.com/promos/gcredit-supermarket-cashback and new.gcash.com/promos/gcredit-bills-pay-promo

Bills Cashback promo runs from Sept. 13 to Nov. 30, 2024.
DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-202109 Series of 2024

Supermarket Cashback promo runs from Oct 19 to Nov. 30, 2024.

DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-202568 Series of 2024

GCredit is powered by CIMB Bank Philippines, Inc

GCash is supervised by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

CIMB Bank Philippines, Inc. is regulated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

You can access GCredit on the GCash dashboard or by tapping the “Borrow” button. GCredit is subject to eligibility. Terms and Conditions apply. No GCash yet? Download na ang GCash App on the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, or Huawei App Gallery. Kaya mo, i-GCash mo!

Sun Life Investment Management and Trust Corporation (Sun Life Investment Management) celebrates its outstanding performance at the Asset Benchmark Research Awards, solidifying its position as a leading force in the investment industry.  

The prestigious recognition program, hosted by The Asset, a leading financial information provider, honored Sun Life Investment Management as among the Top Investment House under the Local Currency Bond. Meanwhile, its Fixed Income Portfolio Manager, Chelsea Vanessa Lim, was awarded the top two spot as the Most Astute Investor for Local Currency Bonds and the number one for G3 Bonds. The awarding ceremony was held on November 7, 2024 at The Four Seasons Singapore.  

“We are grateful to accept these prestigious recognitions that show our strong entry into the industry,” says Michael Enriquez, President of Sun Life Investment Management and Trust Corporation. “With the dedication and commitment of our people, we are confident that we will grow exponentially, serve even more Clients, and contribute to the dynamic Philippine investment landscape.” 

Know more about SLIMTC and its products and services by visiting www.sunlife.co/SLIMTC.